Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-02
Gath,s Views.


called "Gath," the correspondent of
Murat Halstead's paper, the Cincin-
nati Enquirer, was in San Francisco a
few days ago, and of course he had to
take his own prescription and submit
to be interviewed. Mr.. Townshend is
familiar with most of the political
features of the time. He gives utter
ance to sound wisdom in the following
forecast:
The issue of the next Presidential
campaign is still very doubtful. The
way the political pivot will turn de-
pends largely on the material condi-
ton, either its progress or retrogres-
sion, between the present time and the
November election in 1888. The
voters of this country are every year
voting more on propositions OF their
material advancement than on the
lines of traditional partisanship, and
voting because our fathers so voted is
passing away. A business depression
throughout the nation or a financial
panic like that of '73 would nullify
whatever chances Cleveland would
have Of reelection.
The people are voting more on propo-
sitions of material advancement than
on old lines Of traditional partisanship.
Material advancement is the battle
cry Of the day, and no party can win
on traditions or dead issues. The
Gould and Vanderbilt faction tried
hard to defeat Mr.. Cleveland by a
Casandra cry of ruin, but the attempt
failed. The prosperity Of the country
is greater by large ratio to-day than
it was when the Democracy returned
to power, and the policy Of that party
is steadily improving this condition.
Nor will there be any financial crash
such as "Gath" refers to, and such,
no doubt, as many political leaders
among the "outs" would be glad to
see, to impair the prospects of
the Democracy. That party has
for the keystone of its arch
the material advancement of
the people, and that will hold
up its political house in spite Of
any strain.
Speaking of Mr.. Blaine, and his
chances "Gath" developes a similar
vein of shrewdness. He says, speak
ing OF the Man from Maine:
No. He was its (the Republican
party) nominee at the last election,
and the battle was fought on certain
lines. What is the good of fighting
them over again? The Republican
party, if it desires to win, must not
allow itself to nominate candidates in
Difference to politicians. 1t should
get out of the old groove and have
leaders who are not identified with its
old quarrels and internal strife. Any
man who is more conspicuous for his
dissensions than for his harmony
should be dropped. l believe the
Republican party will fight its
battle in the same way it fought with
Garfield. 1t wants some new, good
blood, and this will be obtained from
the younger generation who have no
animosities nursed and fostered with
the growth of years, knowing no OBJ
liberation but by the qualification Of
revenge. OF this younger generation
! think Robert Lincoln stands the best
chance. He made a good Secretary
of War, and of all officials is the one
that most resembles Cleveland in his
attention to the business of his Office.
We cannot say that Mr.. Town
shend's sagacity clings to him all the
way through. That there is any po-
litical strength in young Mr.. Lincoln
is doubtful. But that the Republican
party must be reconstructed. to win is
manifest. The policy of fighting the
battle on the lines on which the last
one was lost, is conspicuous foolish
ness. The Republican party sees this,
and that provision fs more than likely
to shelve Mr.. Blaine.